R E S O L U T I O N

 1-1           WHEREAS, The untimely passing of San Antonio firefighter

 1-2     Jesse F. Bricker on May 4, 1997, at the age of 47, has brought a

 1-3     great loss to the family and many friends of this estimable

 1-4     gentleman; and

 1-5           WHEREAS, A native Texan and 25-year veteran of the San

 1-6     Antonio Fire Department, Mr. Bricker died in the line of duty after

 1-7     suffering severe respiratory difficulties brought on by smoke

 1-8     inhalation; and

 1-9           WHEREAS, Born in Sonora on September 27, 1949, this longtime

1-10     San Antonio resident graduated from Highlands High School in 1968

1-11     and four years later he joined the fire department; he was a valued

1-12     member of Fire Station 38 and was loved and respected by his fellow

1-13     firefighters, many of whom benefited from his leadership and

1-14     training; and

1-15           WHEREAS, Mr. Bricker was a nationally recognized softball

1-16     player who played on National Firefighters' Association

1-17     championship teams in 1992 and 1994, and his passion for this game

1-18     allowed him the opportunity to travel the country and befriend

1-19     fellow firefighters from across the United States; he was

1-20     well-regarded as a pitcher, but he was also a team leader and a

1-21     powerful hitter, with a lifetime average of nearly .700; and

1-22           WHEREAS, Known for his upbeat personality, this charismatic

1-23     man was always ready with a joke or a story to perk up a gathering

1-24     or lift a friend's spirits, and his reputation as a dedicated

 2-1     friend was equalled only by his status as a devoted civil servant;

 2-2     and

 2-3           WHEREAS, Jesse F. Bricker was a man of compassion and

 2-4     decency, whose time with us was tragically cut short, and although

 2-5     his guidance and good nature will be missed by all who knew him,

 2-6     his spirit will surely live on in the hearts and minds of the many

 2-7     people whose lives he touched; now, therefore, be it

 2-8           RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 75th Texas

 2-9     Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Jesse F. Bricker and

2-10     extend sincere sympathy to the members of his family: to his wife,

2-11     Jeannie Bricker; to his daughter, Jessica Bricker; to his mother,

2-12     Kathryn E. Bricker; to his sister and brother-in-law, Angie and

2-13     Glen Marshall; to his brother and sister-in-law, Paul and Debbie

2-14     Bricker; to his wife's parents, Clarence and Grace Siefert; to his

2-15     sisters-in-law, Melissa Siefert and Gay Menefee, and her husband,

2-16     John; to his brother-in-law, Wade Siefert, and his wife, Karen; to

2-17     his nieces and nephews, Jody, Deandra, Jayme, Jenna, Matt, Justin,

2-18     Travis, B. J., Jamison, and Jared; and to the many other relatives

2-19     and friends of this beloved gentleman; and, be it further

2-20           RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be

2-21     prepared for the members of his family and that when the Texas

2-22     House of Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of

2-23     Jesse F.  Bricker.

                                                                Van de Putte

                                                                   McClendon

                                                                      Puente

                                                                   Hernandez

                                                                    Alvarado

                                                                       Corte

                                             _______________________________

                                                   Speaker of the House

               I certify that H.R. No. 895 was unanimously adopted by a

         rising vote of the House on May 23, 1997.

                                             _______________________________

                                                 Chief Clerk of the House